Digital Retail Strategy

For many retailers, the central question is: How should we respond to and exploit the retail channel shift? Javelin Group has more experience in this arena than any other consultancy.

We work on every element from the design of a compelling omni-channel retail customer proposition through to a clear implementation roadmap and financial plan, to ensure a comprehensive, achievable solution which addresses the key CEO and C-level questions:

How should we develop our ecommerce and omni-channel retail business over the next five years?

How can we transform our multiple sales channels into a true omni-channel retail business?

We are launching our online channel for the first time – how can we ensure it is successful?

Will online and omni-channel retail be profitable for us?

We pride ourselves on developing a realistic, actionable strategy with both an achievable implementation plan and business case which is supported by an extensive set of proprietary performance benchmarks.

We typically use our proprietary ‘wheel’ framework as the starting point for building a new omni-channel retail strategy. Our wheel has been honed on over 70+ client engagements in the last 2-3 years.

We initially spend time with our clients to understand their business, customers and competitive environment – often conducting primary customer research to deliver key insights as to how the business should develop in the future.We then step through the stages of the wheel as appropriate:

Organisation Outline the skill and capability gaps in the current organisation, develop the new organisational structure, roles and responsibilities and change programmes required to instil an omni-channel retail culture

Economics Develop the business case, financial plans and implementation roadmap

Clients

Testimonials

Following a rigorous partner selection process, Arco engaged with Javelin Group in 2016 to work with the business to define its omni-channel strategy. Javelin Group’s approach is best described as detailed, thorough and professional. The quality and experience of the individuals within their team was outstanding. Within a relatively short period of time, the team was able to collate, review and analyse a huge amount of information and data and identify the key takeaways. From this, Javelin Group helped us to define a clear omni-channel vision for the business and a strategic roadmap to help us deliver that vision. Ultimately the project team and the broader business were very happy with Javelin Group and would recommend them as a strategic partner.Neil Jowsey, Joint MD, Arco.

Javelin Group leveraged its global omni-channel expertise to assist Comfy in designing an omni-channel strategy that would drive value in a highly challenging macroeconomic and commercial environment. The Javelin Group team worked closely and effectively with Comfy in order to understand the nature and dynamics of the Ukrainian market. It adapted and tailored its plans to reflect the unique nature of the market and delivered a detailed set of actionable, pragmatic recommendations. We have now implemented many of their recommendations and would not hesitate to endorse them to other retailers.Gennadii Verbylenko, Chief Executive Officer, Comfy.

We hired Javelin Group to assist in developing a 2 year multi-channel roadmap which prioritised our multi-channel initiatives and created cost/benefit cases for each one. Javelin Group’s forecasts have been highly accurate and we have successfully implemented a number of key initiatives from this work. We recently retained Javelin Group to repeat the exercise for a specific part of our multi-channel programme and again, they have identified significant sales opportunities for the business. Their detailed knowledge of key benchmarks and best practice across both business and IT has been invaluable on both pieces of work.Robyn Doyle, ‎former Head of eCommerce Strategy & Planning, Dixons Carphone.

We engaged Javelin Group to help build an omni-channel strategy for our B2B and B2C Building Material businesses in the Nordics. Javelin Group worked closely with us, understood our B2B challenges, and linked the latest ecommerce thinking to our industry. Javelin Group challenged existing strategies, and through a 360 degree approach and a very comprehensive list of projects and initiatives, we now have a real plan for how to become the omni-channel leader in our industry. We’re very happy we choose Javelin Group to help us – they proved to be true omni-channel experts.Ole Mikael Jensen, President & CEO, Stark Group.

The team and their work have been exceptional and have won the support of our entire management team. We have already commissioned more work from Javelin Group and have every intention of building a long-term working relationship with the team.Phil Walker, former Chief Marketing Officer, Gala Coral Group.

Javelin Group has worked with us on both the definition and execution of our omni-channel strategy. Javelin Group’s unique ability to define a strategic vision, while at the same time providing detailed operational recommendations, has helped ensure that the strategy permeates all levels of our organisation. The fact that Javelin Group is working for omni-channel leaders has been key in terms of business and organisation recommendations. We are pleased with our choice to have Javelin Group accompany us on our journey of omni-channel transformation.Bertrand Jungo, former CEO, Manor.

We could not have found a better partner than the Javelin Group team. They were valuable in helping to develop our omni-channel retail transformation. Their collaborative approach embraced our key stakeholders from the start, and they quickly became an extension of our team. Javelin Group’s thoroughness in approach, their understanding of apparel and their global retail experience has provided rich content and insight that is having a significant impact on our business. The final deliverables, inclusive of detailed roadmaps and project charters, provided a practical pace and sequence that was in line with our business maturity and resources. I would not hesitate in working with Javelin Group again on future projects.David Bortolussi, President & Managing Director and Kate Hann, Consumer Goods Director, Hanes Brands

Javelin Group’s team delivered clear strategic options and very practical recommendations to drive our international, omni-channel, and marketing technology strategies. They gave ongoing high quality support to our international team, more than rose to the brief in the omni-channel area, and gave us great understanding of the right technology for us. We are pleased with their results and found them a pleasure to work with.Keith Nesbitt, Chief Operating Officer, T. M. Lewin.

Contact Practice Director

Matt Jeffers

Director, Strategy

Matt Jeffers runs the Digital Retail Strategy service line. He has led projects covering omni-channel strategy and ecommerce performance improvement for multiple retailers across grocery, DIY/building materials, apparel and luxury goods sectors. Prior to Javelin Group, Matt led Tesco.com’s international development, launched it in China and oversaw the internal strategic growth plan for the Group. He also planned Tesco.com’s strategic development in Central and Eastern Europe and across Asia-Pacific.